ABSTRACT
Following organ transplantation, the alloantigens of the donor tissue evoke an immune response either by direct stimulation of the host via migrant dendritic cells or by indirect stimulation via processing and presentation of alloantigen by recipient antigen presenting cells. This response is vigorous, involving many aspects of immunity and, if unchecked by immunosuppressive agents, will result in rapid destruction of the graft [1,2]. Even in the face of current potent immunosuppressive agents such as cyclosporine, tacrolimus and OKT3 antibody, acute rejection may proceed irreversibly or give way to a slower,
more insidious, chronic rejection. The role that cytokines have to play in such immunity has been the subject of intense investigation since the late 1980s and continues to tantalise those involved with hopes of therapeutic strategies based on manipulation of the cytokine network.
